The Importance of Tick Prevention Animal Care Clinic, Bemidji How heartbreaking tick disease can be! Who would think that the bite of a tick so tiny that it is often unseen can cause such severe consequences? Over these past weeks I have seen many cases of tick disease that progressed to the point of severe kidney damage. You may ask Dr. Rachel Spencer how can that happen? Some dogs' immune systems have an excessive response to tick disease, and the delicate structures of the kidneys can be severely damaged. This is most commonly seen with Lyme disease. A recent study showed Lyme infected dogs have a 43% increased risk of kidney disease as they get older. Up to 1-2% of dogs with Lyme infection can develop severe, fatal kidney failure called Lyme nephritis. While Lyme nephritis is statistically rare, I have seen six cases in the past two weeks. The key to avoiding tick disease is prevention. Not all tick prevention products are created equal. There are numerous topicals, collars and oral tick prevention products. The key to tick products working is how fast they kill the ticks and how long that protection lasts between doses. It is important to discuss with your veterinarian the best tick prevention options for your pet's lifestyle (ie. topical, collar or chewable prevention products). Be aware topical tick repellant products often contain permethrin, which can cause neurologic signs in cats if they are exposed to these topical products. The important take home message is to give regular flea, tick and heartworm prevention and plan on giving it year-round now that winters can be warmer. Anytime the temperature rises above 34 degrees there is a chance ticks are out, even if only for a few days. Many of the cases of Lyme and Anaplasmosis I have seen this spring were likely exposures back at the end of December or early January. The days of being able to stop tick prevention in November and start up again in February are past. Ticks are turning into a year-round threat. The cost of prevention is small compared to the cost of tick disease infection, both financially and emotionally. Feel free to email any questions you may have regarding tick disease or flea, tick, and heartworm prevention products to doctor.rachelanimalcare@gmail.com Animal Care CLINIC 410 Clausen Ave. SW Bemidji (218) 444-2222 animalcarebemidji.com The Importance of Tick Prevention Animal Care Clinic , Bemidji How heartbreaking tick disease can be ! Who would think that the bite of a tick so tiny that it is often unseen can cause such severe consequences ? Over these past weeks I have seen many cases of tick disease that progressed to the point of severe kidney damage . You may ask Dr. Rachel Spencer how can that happen ? Some dogs ' immune systems have an excessive response to tick disease , and the delicate structures of the kidneys can be severely damaged . This is most commonly seen with Lyme disease . A recent study showed Lyme infected dogs have a 43 % increased risk of kidney disease as they get older . Up to 1-2 % of dogs with Lyme infection can develop severe , fatal kidney failure called Lyme nephritis . While Lyme nephritis is statistically rare , I have seen six cases in the past two weeks . The key to avoiding tick disease is prevention . Not all tick prevention products are created equal . There are numerous topicals , collars and oral tick prevention products . The key to tick products working is how fast they kill the ticks and how long that protection lasts between doses . It is important to discuss with your veterinarian the best tick prevention options for your pet's lifestyle ( ie . topical , collar or chewable prevention products ) . Be aware topical tick repellant products often contain permethrin , which can cause neurologic signs in cats if they are exposed to these topical products . The important take home message is to give regular flea , tick and heartworm prevention and plan on giving it year - round now that winters can be warmer . Anytime the temperature rises above 34 degrees there is a chance ticks are out , even if only for a few days . Many of the cases of Lyme and Anaplasmosis I have seen this spring were likely exposures back at the end of December or early January . The days of being able to stop tick prevention in November and start up again in February are past . Ticks are turning into a year - round threat . The cost of prevention is small compared to the cost of tick disease infection , both financially and emotionally . Feel free to email any questions you may have regarding tick disease or flea , tick , and heartworm prevention products to doctor.rachelanimalcare@gmail.com Animal Care CLINIC 410 Clausen Ave. SW Bemidji ( 218 ) 444-2222 animalcarebemidji.com